F-15S/MTD

Profile

The aircraft used in the F-15S/MTD program has flown several times since the successful F-15S/MTD program completion in 1991 that used vectored thrust and canard foreplanes to improve low-speed performance. This aircraft tested high-tech methods for operating from a short runway—important during wartime, when airfields are likely to be attacked and cratered by enemy fire. This F-15 was part of an effort to improve ABO (Air Base Operability), the survival of warplanes and fighting capability at airfields under attack. A variety of measures—point defenses, construction decoys (such as ones used during World War II), and other deceptions—give airfields high likelihood of remaining in use in the midst of a shooting war. The F-15S/MTD tested ways to improve the situation by demonstrating the ability to land and take off from wet, bomb-damaged runways. The aircraft used a combination of reversible engine thrust, jet nozzles that could be deflected by 20 degrees, and canard foreplanes. Two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles were fitted to the F-15 in 1988. Three-dimensional nozzles would later be fitted in 1995. The canard foreplanes were derived from the F/A-18's tailplane.

How the S/MTD works

• Nozzles: By using a combination of the movable nozzles and vanes in the jet pipe, the S/MTD can direct gas forward, outward or at an angle of up to 20 degrees to the axis of the aircraft.

• Combined effect: With its highly advanced flight control software, the S/MTD coordinates the movement of the forward canards to give up-force, and the tailplanes and nozzles produce a down-force when maneuvering.

• Fast Stop: By vectoring engine gas from above and below the nozzles and turning the canard foreplanes to act as giant airbrakes, the S/MTD could decelerate very rapidly. This kind of maneuver might be useful in a dogfight.

Specifications

F-15S/MTD

• Type: Advanced Technology and Research aircraft.
• Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 turbofan engines, equipped with Pratt & Whitney 20 Degree two-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles, reverse thrust capable.
• Max Dry Thrust: 14,360 lbf (63.88 kN) each
• Max Thrust with afterburner: 23,780 lbf (105.78 kN) each
• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.1 (1,650 mph) at 37,650 ft (2,650 km/h at 11,500 m)
• Service Ceiling: 58,220 ft (17,750 m)
• Range: 2,737 mi (4,405 km)
• Empty weight: 26,966 lb (12,232 kg)
• Loaded Weight: 44,442 lb (20,159 kg)
• Maximum Takeoff Weight: 70,400 lb (31,930 kg)

• Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13 m)
• Length: 64 ft (19.7 m)
• Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
• Wing Area: 626 ft² (58.2 m²)

F-15 ACTIVE

• Type: Advanced Technology and Research aircraft.
• Powerplant: 2x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-299 turbofan engines, equipped with Pratt & Whitney P/YBBN 20 Degree three-dimensional thrust vectoring nozzles.
• Max Dry Thrust: 23,450 lbf (104 kN) each
• Max Thrust with afterburner: 29,000 lb (129kN) each
• Maximum Speed: Mach 2.0 (1,552 mph) (2,450 km/h)
• Service Ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,288 m)
• Dry weight: 35,000 lb (15,876 kg)
• Takeoff Weight: 47,000 lb (21,319 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 11,520 lb (5,225 kg)(approx. 1,700 gal)

• Wingspan: 42.8 ft (13 m)
• Length: 63.7 ft (19.42 m), excluding flight test nose boom
• Height: 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)
• Horizontal tail span: 28.2 ft (8.60 m)
• Canard span: 25.6 ft (7.80 m)

• This F-15 proposal is a stealthy tailless version which the tailfins and foreplanes removed and tailplane marginally canted up to help stabilize the aircraft in envent of a double engine failure. However the MANX program started in 1996, the aircraft was post to fly in 2000, but no news of the aircraft flew yet.

Related Aircraft

• F-15C Eagle
• F-15E Strike Eagle

Comparable Aircraft

Sources

• Aircraft of the World: The Complete guide.
• NASA Dryden Flight Research Center.

External Links

• http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/home/index.html
• http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/news/FactSheets/FS-048-DFRC.html

Gallery

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